HEREFORD races on Monday was the last stop for previous Grand National winner Amberleigh House en route for another crack at the Aintree spectacular, writes GRAHAM SAVEKER.

But supporters of the 14-year-old had mixed messages as he trailed in last of the 13 runners in the three and a quarter mile conditional jockeys handicap hurdle.

Ridden by jockey Stephen Craine, Amberleigh House was always chasing the leaders but had no more to give over the final five hurdles as all the way winner Witness Time took the honours.

Trainer's son Donald McCain Jnr commented: "He is a four-mile chaser running in a handicap hurdle and is having a good blow afterwards so that should help put him spot on and roll on the second week of April."

Richard Johnson scored in the Triumph hurdle at last week's Cheltenham Festival and he could have another top class recruit for the Aintree meeting in the shape of novice hurdler Bureaucrat, who scored in the novice hurdle race.

The winner, trained by Phillip Hobbs, could join Triumph hurdle runner-up Fair Along from the same stable at Aintree as connections felt he could be more suited by quicker going.

Punters who took note that Tony McCoy had journeyed to the course for just one ride on Dancewiththedevil had their faith rewarded when the Jonjo O'Neill-trained 5-4 favourite took the bumper in good style.